Fewer people using garden since Chinatown sweep

If you blink you’ll miss the Community Garden at the heart of Chinatown.

“My family and my sons grow for the people. We love this place, we love the people,” said Chinatown resident Luce.

The garden was started back in 2006.

“We try and provide a space for the homeless to come garden, grow their own food. Gives them a sense of self-efficacy like I can do it. It gives them an escape from all the stress they go through throughout the year,” said Garden Coordinator Martin Madrid.

“Italian, Chinese, American. Different plants in this garden. It’s beautiful,” said Luce.

However since the sweep the garden is a lot quieter.

“All the services here now we have no one to serve. It’s kind of a backwards approach in my opinion,” said Madrid.

Crews cleared out roughly 50 tons of property which posed a safety risk for emergency vehicles. So while growth might be hindered in the garden, personal growth is popping up all over the place.

“My next step is to be clean and sober, to be in recovery and to be with my family,” said 60 year resident of Chinatown, Elsa.